Paintbrush holder



May 25, 1954 R. ZEGERS 2,679,315

PAINTBRUSH HOLDER Filed June 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I

INVENTOR. RAYMOND ZEGERS 72 L4 am ATTORNEY May 25, 1954 R. ZEGERS 2,679,315

PAINTBRUSH HOLDER Filed June 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mag 52 lllllllilnllullllilnll"1/ INVENTOR. RAYMOND ZEGERS E web a' Q 8m ATTORNEY Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAINTBRUSH HOLDER Raymond Zegers, Evanston, 111.

Application June 22, 1950, Serial No. 169,737

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to brush holders and, more particularly, to brush holders of the type especially well adapted for storing and carrying paint brushes, and the like.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, proper storing and preserving of paint brushes not in use has always been a major problem, and. various methods and devices for storing paint brushes so as to preserve the desired soft texture of the bristles have heretofore been attempted.

However, the various methods of storing paint brushes heretofore known in the art, have had several inherent disadvantages, such as, for example, being inemcient and ineffective in operation; being cumbersome and awkward to use and store; deforming the bristles of the stored brushes from their natural shapes or positions; requiring that the containers in which the brushes are stored be inspected at relatively regular intervals so that the cleaning fiuid lost through evaporation and the like, may be restored; and not affording a brush holder which the workman could readily use for transporting the brush being stored.

It is a primary object of my invention to afford a novel brush holder which overcomes the disadvantages of brush holders and storing devices heretofore known in the art.

Another important object of my invention is to alford a novel brush holder wherein the parts thereof are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner to afford a novel, efficient, and practical storage receptacle and carrying case for paint brushes, and the like, wherein the shape and texture of the bristles of a brush may be effectively preserved during both storage and transporting of a brush therein.

Another object of my invention is to afford a relatively light brush holder of a size and shape substantially the same as the brush, being only slightly larger in outline than the brush, so that the holder may be effectively used by a painter for transporting the brush to and from the job, and, when so used, may be readily carried in the painters hand, pocket, tool box, or the like.

A further object is to afford a novel brush holder of the aforementioned type which automatically and firmly holds the bristles of a paint brush being stored therein in compact, fiat, substantially natural position to thereby preserve the desired shape and arrangement of the bristles of the brush.

Yet another object is to afford a brush holder of the aforementioned type wherein the brush is sealed therein in a novel and expeditious manner, and the desired pliability of the bristles may be readily preserved for a prolonged period by a small quantity of turpentine, or the like, placed in the brush holder as a preservative and softening agent for the bristles.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various types of cleaning agents or softening agents are used to clean and preserve brushes used for applying different types of coatings. Thus, for example, in cleaning and preserving brushes used with the usual oil paints, and the like, solvents such as turpentine are commonlyused for cleaning the brushes; and in cleaning brushes used for applying shellac, alcohol is the common solvent used. It will be remembered that herein, in referring to turpentine, alcohol, or other cleansing preservative, or softening agents, reference is made to such specific agents only by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that other agents may be used without departing from the purview of my invention, an important object of my invention being to provide a brush holder wherein softening agents of either high or low volatility may be used and will be effectively retained in the holder over prolonged periods of time.

A further object of my invention is to afford a brush holder of the aforementioned type having a removable cover which may be quickly and easily removed from and replaced on the brush holder and which, when removed from the brush holder alfords an opening through which a paint brush, or the like, may be readily inserted into, and removed from, stored position in the holder.

Another object is to afford a brush holder of the aforementioned type wherein the cover member is firmly held in a novel and expeditious manner in sealed relation to the body portion of the brush holder when disposed in closed position thereon and, wherein, when the cover member is in closed position, the brush holder is substantially air-tight and is sealed against the spilling or evaporation of cleaning or preserving liquid enclosed in the holder.

Another object is to provide a brush holder of the aforementioned type wherein the cover member is held in closed position on the body member in a novel and expeditious manner by force applied to the outwardly facing central portion of the cover member.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to provide a brush holder of the aforementioned type wherein the cover member is releasably held in closed position on the body member thereof by hinged retaining means which spring-urge the cover member into closed position on the body member, and which may be quickly and easily disposed in retaining position relative to the cover member, and, in addition, may be quickly and easily disposed in released position relative to the cover member to thereby free the cover member for removal from the body member.

Another object is to provide a brush holder of the aforementioned type which affords a practical, economical storing container for paint brushes, and the like, wherein the shape and pliability of the bristles of paint brushes stored therein may be preserved in a novel and expeditious manner, and wherein the brush is efiectively retained in proper stored position therein.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of il1u s-. tration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be'the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the'same or equiv'alent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred form of a brush holder embodying the principles of my. invention;

Fig. 2 is 'a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig 3 is'a sectional view taken substantially alongtheline 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but showing certain parts of the brush holder ina different position;

' Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view looking in the direction of'the arrows'5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1

Figs. '7 and 8 are detail sectional views taken substantially on the'lines 11 and 8-8, respectively, in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a brush holder similar to Fig. 1, but showing a'modified form of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along'theline l0ll! in Fig, 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line H- l linFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l3--l3 in Fig, 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view somewhat similar to Fig. 13; but showing the parts therein in a different operative position; and

'Fig. 15 is an elevational view taken substantially along the line 15-15 in Fig. 14.

In Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, of'the drawings, a brush holder 20, embodying the principles ofmy invention, is shown to. illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention. The brush holder 23 comprises, in general, a body member 22, Figs. 1 and 2, having an opening 23 in one side thereof in which a cover member 25may be removably mounted in operative position, a retainer 26, mountedjon thebody member 22 being effective to releasably hold the cover member 25 in the operative position.

The bodymember 22 o f the brush holder 28 comprises a bottom wall 28, two end walls 23 and 30, two side walls 32 and 33, and a top wall 35 which is removably mounted on the upper edge portions of the side walls 32 and 33, and the end wall 30, the upper edge portions of the side walls 32 and 33 and the end wall 30 being rabbeted to receive the peripheral edge portion of the top wall 35, and the top wall 35 being secured to the side walls 32 and 33, and the end wall 30 by suitable mean such a screws 31. A suitable gasket 38 is disposed between thev peripheral edge portion of the top wall 35, and the rabbeted upper edge portions of the side walls 32 and 33 and the end wall 30, to thereby seal the interconnection of the top wall 35 with the end wall 30 and the side walls 32 and 33.

As is best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the body member 22 of the brush holder 25, is of substantially the same shape and contour as a paint brush, ,the end portion thereof adjacent to the end wall 35 being relatively narrow to afford a handle portion 4|, within which the handle H of a paint brush B, Fig. 2, may be disposed in relatively close fitting relation, and the end portion of the body member 22 adjacent to the end wall 29 flaring outwardly to afford a head portion 42 within which the head portion P-of the brush B may be disposed in substantially close fitting relation.

The opening 23 in the body member 22 extends across the entire side of the head portion-42 of the body member 22; opposite the bottom wall 28 and projects a short distance into the handle portion 4i toward the end wall 30, Figs. 1 and 2, to thereby aiford an opening through which a brush such as the paint brush B may be quickly and easily inserted into, and removed from, the chamber defined by the walls 28, 29, 30, 32, 33 and 350i the body member 22. The upper edge portion of the side walls 32 and 33, and the end wall 29, and the inner edge portion 36 of the top wall 35, are rabbeted to afford inwardly projecting ledges l lsurrounding the opening 23 for supporting the cover member 25. Th cover member 25 is complementary in size and shape to the opening 23, and is adapted to be mounted on the ledges. 44in close fitting relation to the portions of the side walls 32 and 33, the end wall 29, and. the top wall. 35, defining the opening 23. Suitable sealing means such as a gasket 13 is mounted on the ledge 44 for engagement with the peripheral edge portion of the cover 25. It will be seen that the gasket 38 and the gasket 13 may each bemade as individual unitary pieces. Two bosses or lugs 46 and 48 project outwardly from the upper edgeportions of the side walls 32 and 33, respectively, substantially centrally of the longitudinal edge portion of the head portion 42 of the body member 22, Figs. 1 and 3. Two slots or recesses and 49 are formed in the upper end portion of the bosses 46 and 48, respectively, and are adaptedto receive respective end portions of the retaining member 28 as will be discussed in greater detail presently. The retaining member. 26 is substantially in theform of a bale,Figs. 1 and 3, which, when disposed in latching position, extends transversely across the opening 23 between the side walls 32 and 33. As is best seen inFigs. 1 and 3, the retaining member 23 comprises two end sections or brackets 51. and 52, Figs. 1 and 3, and a latchir g member 53 rotatably mountedtherebetween. The two end sections 5] and 52 are preferably formed of spring-steel in the shape of wireseach having a loop 55 and 54 at one end thereof, and an upwardly projecting flange-or ear 58 and 59 formed at the'other end thereof, respectively.

The brackets 5| and 52 of the retaining member 26 are pivotally mounted in the slots 41 and 49 on pins 56 and 51, Fig. 1, which are mounted in the bosses 46 and 48 and extend through the loops 55 and 54 on the brackets 5| and 52, respectively.

The latching member 53 comprises a cam disc or plate 54- eccentrica-lly mounted on a bolt 6| journaled in the ear 59 and retained therein by suitable means such as a nut 62. An elongated handle 65 projects from the disc 64 to provide means for rotating the disc 64 on the bolt 6| as will be presently discussed.

As is best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the cam disc 64 is held by the bolt 6| in position adjacent to the face of the car 59 which, when the bracket 52 is disposed in the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, is disposed adjacent to the ear 53 on the bracket 5|. Thus, it will be seen that with both of the brackets 5| and 52 disposed in closed position, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the latching member 53 is supported by the bolt 5| between the ears 58 and 59.

A rearwardly opening slot 68, Fig. 8, is formed in the car 58 for reception of the portion of the bolt 6| disposed between the head thereof and the cam disc 54, Figs. 3 and 4. The lengths of the brackets 5| .and 52 and. the bolt 6| are such that when the brackets 5| and 52 are disposed in closed position and the latching member 53 is disposed in released position, as shown in Fig. 4, and as will be discussed in greater detail presently, the head end of the bolt 5| may readily be slipped forwardly and rearwardly, into and out of the slot 68 in the ear 58, the brackets 5| and 52 being sufficiently flexible to permit the necessary movement of the free ends thereof.

An elongated slot or notch 61, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is formed in the central portion of the cover mem ber 25 in position wherein, when the cover member is disposed on the ledges 44 in operative position to close the opening 23, and the brackets 5| and 52 are disposed in the closed position shown in solid lines in Figs. 3 and 4, with the bolt 6| disposed in the slot 58 in the ear 58, the slot 61 is disposed directly below the cam disc 54, in longitudinal alignment therewith.

Upon initial movement of the brackets 5| and 52 from outwardly disposed, or open position, shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, to the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, wherein the bolt 5| is disposed in the slot 58, the latching member 53 is disposed in the released position shown in solid lines in Figs. 4 and '7. However, thereafter, by turning the handle 65, the latching member 55 may be turned from released position to the latched position shown in solid lines in Figs. 2 and 3 and in broken lines in Fig. 7. It will be noted that, when the latching member 53 is disposed in the aforementioned latched position, the lower edge portion of the cam disc 64 is disposed in the slot 57 in the cover 25 and presses firmly downwardly on the central portion of the cover 25 to thereby firmly hold the cover 25 in sealed relation to the ledges 44 defining the opening 23. The slot 51 is preferably of substantially the same width as the cam disc 64, being only sufiiciently wider to freely receive the lower end portion of the cam disc 84, and, therefore, affords an effective guide slot for the cam disc 64.

The latching member 53 and the brackets 5| and 52 are so constituted and arranged that: when the brackets 5| and 52 are disposed in closed position but the latching member is disposed in released position, as shown in Fig. 4, the latching member 53 is suspended from the bolt in slightly spaced relation to the cover 25, whereby, substantially no tension is placed on the bolt 6| and, therefore, the bolt 6| may be readily slipped into and out of the slot 58 in the ear 58; but, when the brackets 5| and 52 are disposed in closed position and the latching member 53 is disposed in latched position, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the inner end portions of the resilient brackets 5! and 52 are sprung upwardly by the pressure of the latching member 53 on the cover 25, and the retainer 26 is thereby effective to spring-urge the cover 25 into firm seating relation to the ledges i4. Adjustment of the tension of the brackets 5| and 52 may be made by tightening or loosening the bolt 6 1 in accordance with whether a. greater or lesser amount of tension, respectively, is desired.

Removal of the cover 25 from latched position on the body member 22 may be readily effected by first swinging the latching member 53 from the latched position shown in broken lines in Fig. 8 tothe released position shown in solid lines therein, to thereby release the tension on the brackets 5| and 52; then deflecting the bracket member 52 rearwardly to remove the bolt 6| from the slot 58; then swinging the brackets 5| and 52 upwardly from the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 4 to the open position shown in broken lines in Fig. 3 and then lifting the cover 25 from the ledge 22. When desired, the cover 25 may again be disposed in latched position by reversing the aforementioned procedure. Thus, it will be seen that the cover 25 may be quickly and easily moved into and out of latched position, and, when the cover 25 is mounted in latched position, the brush holder 20 comprises a relatively small, compact unit, which may be readily carried in a, painters hand, or in his pocket or tool kit.

As is best seen in Fig. 2 the lower face 8| of the cover member 25 slants downwardly from a position somewhat rearwardly of the longitudinal center thereof to the front edge thereof, and the front end portion 82 of the bottom wall 28 slants upwardly from a position somewhat rearwardly of the longitudinal center thereof to the front edge thereof. The tapering of the bottom face 8| of the cover member 25 and the end portion 32 of the bottom wall 28 is preferably such that the inner surfaces of these end portions of the cover member 25 and the bottom wall 28 assume substantially the natural position of the respective, opposite, outer flat surfaces of the bristles PB of the brush B and afford clamping members for firmly holding the bristles PB of a brush B in natural position therebetween, when the brush B is mounted in stored position in the holder 22. Thus, it will be seen that, with the cover member 25 disposed in latched position on the body member 22, the inner face 8| of the cover member 25 and the end portion 82 of the bottom wall 28 compress the bristles PB of the brush B therebetween and insure that the bristles PB will be held in the aforementioned natural position.

In the operation of the novel paint brush holder 20, shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the cover member 25 may be removed from the body member 22. Thereafter a paint brush, such as the paint brush B may be inserted, handle first, into the opening 23, the handle H being inserted into the handle portion 4| of the body member 22 and the body P of the brush B then dropped into the head portion 42 of the body member 22. The

aerzaars internal shape anddimensions Qfrtheabq y member 22am preferably' such-that, when the brush B is disposed in operative position therein the inner surfaces of the body member 22 are disposed in relatively close-fitting relation thereto, to thereby insure that the brush B is retained .in proper stored position therein.

If desired, afterthe brush B has been placed in the body member 22, a small amount of a suitable preserving or cleansing fluid such as, for example, turpentine, may be poured into the body member 22. Thereafter the cover 25 may be placed in position in the opening 23 at which time, it will be seen that the end portion 8| of the inner surface of the cover member 25 rests on the bristles PB of the brush B.

The brackets and 52 may then be swung from the open position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 into the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 4, and the bolt 51 slid into the slot 58 inthe ear 58, the latching member 53 being disposed in released position during this movement of the brackets 51 and 52. ihe operator, may then, by manipulating the handle 65 on the latching member 53 rotate the cam disc $4 from the released position shown in Fig. 4 to the latching position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, at which time, the cam disc 64 engages in the notch 61 and presses downwardly firmly on the central portion of the cover member 25 to thereby firmly seat the peripheral edge portions of the cover member 25 on the gasket 13 mounted on the supporting ledges 44. This downward pressure on the cover member 25 presses the end portion 8! of the inner surface of the cover member 25 into firm engagement with the bristles PB to thereby yieldingly, but firmly, clamp the bristles PB between the end portion, 8! of the lower surface of the cover member 25 and the end portion 82 of the bottom wall 28 of the body member 22. With the cover 25 disposed in this position, it will be seen that the holder 20 affords a practical and novel storing receptacle for the paint brush B wherein the paint brush B is sealed in the holder 20 and is clamped between the cover member 25 and the bottom wall 28 in a manner to preserve the desired shape of the bristles PB.

Also, it will be seen that the holder 20 affords a practical carrying case for the paint brush B which may be readily carried in the pocket of a workman, and which is effectively sealed to insure against the spilling or evaporation of preservative liquid carried in the body member 22 to preserve the flexibility and pliability of the bristles PB". Such a device, it will be seen, affords a novel and practical holder for permanently storing cleaned brushes for prolonged periods of time, the cleansing agent, sealed in the holder being effective to maintain such a brush in the desired, pliable condition. Also, it has been found that. my novel device affords a novel, efficient holder for temporarily storing paint brushes between jobs for relatively short periods such as, forexample, over-night or for a day or two without cleaning.v For example, it has been found that if it is necessary that a painter quit temporarily, such as over-night, before a painting job is completed, the uncleaned paint brush may be placed in my novel holder, a few ounces of turpentine placed in the holder, and thecover sealed in. closed position, and the brush will be maintained in soft, pliable condition so that the next day it may be removed from the holder and immediately used in continuing thepainting job.

Normally, when it is desired to. clean out the body-member 22of'the brush-holder 20, it is only necessary to'pour a suitable cleaning fluid, such as, turpentine, alcohol, or the like, into the body member 22 and rinse the body member 22 thoroughly. However, in some instances and especially if the holder has been mistreated and paint has been permitted to dry on the interior thereof, it may be desirable to have unrestricted access to the relatively narrow handle portion 41 of the body member 22 and for this purpose I prefer to embody the top wall 35 as a removable member of the body member 22. In this connection, it will be seen that in the event that it is desired to do so, the screws 3'! may be removed from the top wall 35 and the top wall 35 may then be completely removed from the body member 22 to thereby afford ready access to the interior of the handle portion 4| of the body member 22 for cleaning purposes, or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the preferred form of my novel brush holder, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, aifords a brush holder which provides a novel storing receptacle for paint brushes and the like; provides a novel and practical carrying case for paint brushes and the like; provides a device wherein not only the soft texture and pliability of the bristles may be readily preserved, but also affords a device which preserves the desired shape and form of the bristles of a paint brush; and provides a novel paint brush holder wherein the cover may be removed quickly and easily, and, when mounted in operative position on the body member, is yieldingly held thereon in a novel and expeditious manner which insures that the cover member will be properly disposed in sealed relation to the body member.

it will be seen that although the spring-urgof the cover member 25, from the center thereof, insures proper seating of the cover 25 in sealing relation to the ledge 44, and forms an important aspect of my invention, it is only one aspect thereof and that other means for holding the cover member of my novel device in proper closed relation to the body member thereof may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, a modified form of my invention is shown which is constructed and operates on the same principle as the preferred form of the brush holder shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, and like reference numerals have been used on like parts and the same reference numerais, with the suifix a added thereto, have been used on parts which are similar, but which have been substituted for parts of the preferred form of my brush holder. All of the changes made in the modified form of my invention over the preferred form, as shown, are embodied in the top wall a of the body member 22a, the central portion of the cover member 25a, and the retainer 2M, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.

It will be noted that the changes made in the modified form of my invention, comprise the following: the top wall 35a of the body member 22 isnot'formed as a separate part but is an integral part of the body member 22, formed integrally with the side walls 32 and 33 and the end wall 35; the upper surface of the cover member 25a has been changed to eliminate the slot 61, and to includea boss 0| projecting upwardly from thecentral portion of the top surface of the cover member-inland having a groove I02 extending transversely across the upper face thereof; and a spring-clip type of latching member 53a has been substituted between the brackets 5i and 52 in place of the eccentrically mounted cam-plate type of latching member 53, embodied in the preferred embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive. No claim is made to the springclip latching member 530: except as it forms a part of my novel combination.

The latching member 53acomprises an elongated piece of suitable material, such as, for example, wire or spring steel having one end portion thereof bent to form a substantially U- shaped handle 105, having a loop it! formed on the free end portion of one leg I56 and through which loop It! the bolt 61 extends. The other leg N18 is normally disposed directly below the leg I06 and the free end portion thereof is bent to form a substantially semi-circular shaped latching jaw H0, Figs. 12 and 15. In forming the latching jaw lit, the free end portion of the leg its is bent to form, successively, an arcuate-shaped rear leg H4 projecting from the handle 105, a cross-bar H2, and another arcuate-shaped rear leg ii 5 extending from the cross-bar H2 toward the handle I05, the free end portion of this latter rear leg N5 of the latching jaw H terminating adjacent to the junction of the first mentioned rear leg H4 with the handle I05;

In the operation of the brush holder a shown in Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, the cover member a may be disposed in operative position in the opening 23, with the brackets 5| and 52 disposed in the open position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. Thereafter the brackets 5i and 52 may be swung into the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 11 in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the retainer 26. After movement of the brackets 51 and 52 into closed position the bolt 6! may be slid into the ear 58, at which time the latching member 53a is normally disposed in a position corresponding to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13, wherein the free end portion of the handle m5 is disposed toward the end 29 of the body member 22a and the cross bar H2 of the latching member is disposed in spaced relation above the boss [0| on the cover member 25a. To effect closing of the latching member 53a, the handle I05 may be swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 13 from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in solid lines in Figs. 14 and 15, where in the cross-bar H2 is engaged in the groove H12 in the boss NH, and then swung further to the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 13.

It will be seen that during this closing movement of the handle I55, the cross bar H2 is swung downwardly into position in the groove I02 in the boss ifll and, by the continued closing movement of the handle 155, is latched in yieldingly, downwardly pressing engagement with the top of the boss illl, the bolt 6! swinging past the dead-center position of the cross bar H2 in a clockwise direction to thereby firmly hold the cross bar I I2 in latched position until the handle I05 may be turned manually in a counter-clockwise direction from the aforementioned latched position toward the aforementioned unlatched position.

As in the preferred form of my invention, it will be seen that with the cover member 25a removed from the body member 2211, a paint brush may be readily inserted through the opening 23 into the storage chamber defined in the body member 22a, the handle of the paint brush being inserted in the handle portion 4Ia, of the body member 22a and the head of the paint brush then being dropped into the head 42 of the body member 22a. When it is desired to release the cover 2511 from the body member 22a and remove a paint brush stored therein, it will be seen that this may be readily accomplished by swinging the handle of the latching member 53a from the latched position shown in solid lines in Fig. 13 to the unlatched position shown in broken lines therein. Thereafter, the bolt 6| may be slid rearwardly out of the slot in the ear 58 and the brackets 5i and 52 may then be swung upwardly into the open position shown in broken lines in Fig. 11, and the cover member 2511 may then be readily lifted from the body member 220,.

Thus, it will be seen that, like the preferred 'form of my invention, the modified form of my invention afiords a compact brush holder wherein a brush may be sealed in a novel and expeditious manner, and wherein a brush may be mounted in, and removed from the holder quickly and easily.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a novel paint brush holder which afiords a novel storing receptacle and carrying case for paint brushes and the like, and which, when a paint brush is stored therein, is effective tohold the'paint brush in a novel and expeditious manner to thereby hold the bristles thereof in their preferred shape.

Also, it will be seen that I have provided a novel paint brush holder wherein a paint brush may be stored and preserved with cleaning fluid such as, for example, turpentine and whichholder may be readily carried in the pocket of a workman to act as a carrying case for such a paint brush.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A brush holder for paint brushes of the type having a handle, and bristles projecting from the handle, said brush holder comprising a body member having substantially the contour of one of said brushes and having four sides and two ends and having a chamber within which an entire one of said brushes may be disposed in stored position, two of said sides being wider than the other two sides, said body member having edge portions defining an opening on one of said wider sides through which said brush may be inserted into, and withdrawn from, said body member, a cover member mounted in operative position on said body member in abutting relation to said edge portions to close said opening, and means releasably clamping said cover member in said operative position in sealed relation to said body member, said cover member having a flat outer surface and gradually increasing in thickness toward one end thereof from the mid-portion thereof and cooperating with the opposite wall of said body member to form a wedge-like chamher at one end of the body member for holding said bristles in flat compact relation to each other.

2. A brush holder for paint brushes, and the like, said holder comprising a body member hav- 1.1- inga-chamber for receiving such a paint brush therein, said chamber being substantially complementary in shape and size to said paint brush, said body member having an opening therein, in communication with said chamber andthe outside of said body member through which such a brush may be inserted into, and removed from said chamber, a cover'member removably mounted in operative position on said body member for closing said opening, said cover member including anabutment member projecting outwardly from the central portion thereof, and means for releasably holding said cover member in said operative position on said body member, said means comprising a retaining member mounted on said body member and extending across said cover member, and a latching member pivotally mounted onsaid retaining member and movable into and out of latching engagement with said abutment member, said latching member comprising a substantially U-shaped spring-clip member having one leg pivotally mounted on said retaining member for swinging the other leg of said spring clip member downwardly and upwardly, into and out of latching engagement with the top of said abutment member, said latching member when disposed in said latching engagement with said abutment member being operable to yieldingly press said cover member into engagement with said body member.

3. A holder for storing and carrying paint brushes, and the like, in stored position therein, said holder comprising an'elongated body member including a bottom wall having a relatively narrow handle-forming portion at one end thereof, and an enlarged head-forming portion at the other 'end'thereof, said body member also including a continuous side wall projecting upward ly from the outer. peripheral edge portion of said bottom wall, and a top wall mounted on said side wall at said one end of said bottom wall insubstantially parallelspaced relation to said bottom wall and closingthetop of one end of said body member, said top wall projecting toward, and

terminating in'spacedrelation to, the portion-of said side wall projecting upwardly from said other endof said bottom wall, a cover member movably mounted in operative position onsaid side wall and said top wall in position to close the top of the other portion of said body member not closedby said top wall, said cover member being movable from said operative position to thereby open said top of said body member to permit the insertion of 'such a paint brush into said stored position in said body member with the handle of said paint brush disposed-in juxtaposition to said handle-forming portion of said bottom wall and the head of said paint brush disposed in juxtaposition to said head-forming portion of said bottom wall, and means for releasably holding said'cover member in said operative position on said side wall and said top wall.

4. The holder defined in claim 3 and in which said cover member and said head-forming portion of said bottom wall include portions disposed in position relative'to each other, when said cover member is mounted in said operative position on said side wall and top'wall, to clampingly engage said head of such a paint brush disposed in said stored position in said body member.

5. A holder for storing and carrying paint brushes, and theilike, in stored position-therein, said holder comprising an elongatedbody member including. a bottomwallhaving a relatively narrow handle-forming portioniat one end there- 12 of and anienlarged head-formingpprtionat,the; other end thereof, saidbody memberalso jnclud-- ing a continuous side walliprojecting upwardlyfrom the peripheral edge portion of said bottom wall, and a top wall mounted onsaid side walli at said one end of said bottom wall inisubstantially parallel spaced relation to said'bottom wall and closing the top ofione end of said body mem-, ber, said top wall projecting toward,. andterminating in spaced relation to, the portion of .said' side wall projectingupwardly from said other end ofsaid bottom wall, a cover member-movably, mounted in operative position on saidside wall; and said top wall in position to close the top, of. the other portion of said body member not closed; by said top wall, said cover member beingmovablefrom said operative position to thereby openisa'idi topof said body member to permit the insertion of such a paint brush intosaidstored positioni in said body member with the handle ofosaidl paint brush disposed in juxtaposition to said. handle-forming portion of said bottomwallland. the head of saidpaint brush disposed'in jUXtfl-r position to said head-.forming position oflsaid bottom wall, said bottom wall and said cover memberhaving oppositely disposedinwardly facing surfaces tapering toward each other in.a direction toward said other end of said bottom wall in position to clampingly engage the bristles of said brush therebetween when said cover member is disposed in said operative position on said body member, and means for releasably holding, said'covermember in said operative position on said body member.

6. A holder defined in claim 5 and in whichsaid means for releasably holding said cover. member comprises an elongated bale extending across said cover member and having, opposite, endsithereof connected to oppositely disposedportions of saidside wall, and a latching member pivotally mounted on said bale in the centralfportion of said bale, said latching member. being, rotatable on said bale into andout oflatching, position, wherein said latching member is disposed in downwardly-pressing engagement with the central portion of.said cover member.

7. A holder for paint brushes .of the'typehaving a handle at one end, and an enlargedhead at the other end, the free end portion. of said head comprising a' plurality ofbristles normally disposed in substantially flat, compact. relation to' each other, said. holder comprising, a, body, member comprising an elongated, bottom wall" having one end portion disposed. at an upwardly projectingangle to the otherend portion.thereoi,. side walls projecting .upwardly from. the. periphe eral edge portions of saidibottom wall to define an elongated area substantially complementary in'size and shape to such a brush, and .a top wall'. mounted on said side wallsand closing the top of one end portion of said.area,.a.co.ver member removably mounted in operative positiononsaid side wallsinsealing engagement with saidi-side. walls and said top wall for closing the o.ther-por.- tionof the top of.said area notclosediby saidltop wall, said cover member being removable .Irom. saidoperative position to thereby open saidother portion of said top of said area .to .therebyafford an opening for inserting ,andremoving saidbrush into and out of stored position in said area, said cover member having one-end portiondisposed substantially opposite said one end portionof said bottom wall when said coverv member is disposed in-said operativeposition, said, oneend portion of'said cover memberihavingz-anrinner,

face projecting downwardly at an acute angle toward said one end portion of said bottom wall. said inner face of said one end portion of said cover member and said one end portion of said bottom .Wall being disposed in position relative to each other, when said cover member is disposed in said operative position, to clampingly engage said bristles of such a brush disposed in said stored position in said body member and thereby positively hold said bristles in said normally disposed relation to each other, and means mounted on said body member and releasably engaged with said cover member for releasably holding said cover member in said operative position on said body member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Cofiln July 24, Headley Apr. 7, B'altich June 27, Hippius Oct. 2, Hurley Jan. 4, Dahlstrom June 18, Kamm Aug. 2, Lehr Mar. 20, 

